Check out my case mod and please tell me your opinions

[shuan24]

Here is my first attempt at a case mod. A little history:
I have a Soltek SFF computer case running:
3200 Barton XP
1GB ram
AIW 9800 pro
160GB SATA drive
2 dvd drives

I was playing CS one night, and out of the blue my computer reset. It was pretty clear to me that the video card had overheated. I can only view the CPU die and ABSII temp (whatever that is) through the Soltek hardware monitoring program, lets just say it always ran pretty warm. So, I decided it was time for some drastic measures.

I went online and bought a bunch of fans and fan accessories, and the Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer for the 9800 pro. My plan was to install 2 92mm fans on the right side, 1 80mm fan on the back, the vga cooler and another 92mm fan on the left side.

Here is what my Soltek SFF computer looks like:
soltek
vga cooler
empty shell front
empty shell back
case left
case right

After the holes cut out:
VGA cooler
shell back
shell front
cooler installed
fan holes
trimming inside
trimming outside

All the fans installed:
exhaust fan
intake fans
VGA cooler
front
left
right
desktop

So $100 bucks lighter and 24hrs of labor gone, I have one cool system! (pun intended)
My CPU now runs in the high 40s and low 50s under heavy load. The ABSII temp is 6-8 degrees cooler than what it used to be. (All temps in Celsius btw)

I would have to give credit to another forum I found for the idea for the chrome trimming. I have no prior experience with dremeling or case modding, as you can see by all the nicks and scratches I made.

Alot of my investment was not only for the fans and the cooler, but also fan grills, noise absorber, and fan filters.

So what do ya guys think? Suggestions and opinions welcome!

 

[krotchy]

I like the VGA cooler on the outside of the case. Talk about maximum airflow for the video card. Nice

 

[letdown427]

Yeh, that VGA cooler thing is a nice touch. Get rid of those fan grills though!

 

[shuan24]

the chrome trimming was a really good idea, but it was the biggest pain in the butt to install. I had to increase the hole for the trimming, and I ended up cutting the rails off on the shell. Even right now the hole is still slightly too small.

Whats wrong with the fan grills?

 

[JasonSix78]

I really like it. Having the exposed video cooler makes the neat factor go up a lot.

-Jason

 

[cthulhu]

Good job. I like how the vga cooler is exposed. That is cool. The chrome trim is nice. The only thing I might have done is to try painting the trim and the fan grills black to keep the monochrome look of the case. Of course I'm not sure how well paint sticks to chrome.

 

[nycdude]

LED that cooler and it would look rad in the dark.

btw, I like the exposed look. Nice job.

 

[Skott]

Necessity Is The Mother of Invention! Kudos on your mod. It does look good. My main concern would be having the blower exposed to the open air like that. Airborne dust/dirst would be the concern. Regular weekly maitenance should aleviate that though. How's the noise factor with it?

 

[atybimf]

Very nice. I like.

 

[RallyMaster]

Oh very nice. I wish I had a need to cut out of my side panel and put a Silencer there

 

[BW86]

Awesome job! :thumbsup:

 

[shuan24]

thanks guys! Really I'd rather not cut out the side for the cooler, it was the biggest PITA. The exposed blower should be ok since its one big of aluminum underneath, so any dust thats sucked in is immediately blown out. (none of the video card is exposed.

I changed my front LEDs from red to blue to match the color scheme of the vga cooler.

Overall I am very happy with the mod, except for the nicks I made while dremeling out the side.

 

[fierydemise]

shuan that exposed cooler idea is really cool, I may have steal it for my custom case

 

[ElvishFrost]

Wow..That's really Impressive! Just goes to show what a little time and creativity can accomplish! Kudos!

 

[Navid]

The exposed silencer deserves a patent application! That is a brilliant idea. Exactly as you say, there is not going to be any dust issue with it as the air flow path never enters the case. The air intake is from outside (cool). So, cooling should be even better than would be when installed inside a case.

Good job.

 

[soydios]

looks very nice

<3 BMW M5

 

[Enig101]

Nice! As others have said, the exposed VGA cooler looks very interesting. Never seen anything quite like it.

 

[shuan24]

I really can't take credit for the idea of the exposed cooler, I've seen pics of several other people's comps who have done it.

 

[Zap]

:thumbsup:

 

[ty1er]

thats pretty sharp looking. nice job.

-ty1er